Razor and razor element



H. E. WETHERBEE 2,292,418 rRAZOR AND RAZOR uEL'EMENI Filed April 19, 1939 Patented Aug. 11, 1942 Unirse sraras PATENT; o'FFiCE RAZOR AND RAZORV ELEMENT Herbert E. Wetherbee, ClevelandHeights, Ohio,

assigner of two-lifths to Richard F. York, N. Y., and one-tenth to Benton-H.

Stamford, Conn.

Grant, New Grant,

i Application April 19, 1939, ser-iai No. 268,768

claims.vv (01; 311-32) The invention relates.A to improvements in razors, and particularlyrto improvements therein having shaving material incorporated therewith as an integral part thereof, `the invention, however, including also, improved razors and. razor. elements adaptedto receive and adherently retain shaving material preliminarllyv to each shaving operation. -Theshaving materialis self-dispensed during the` shaving operation upon a i water-wet surface being shaved and is distributed thereover in advance of the cutting edge of the razor blade.V Thusit is unnecessary preliminarily to spread upon or otherwise provide the face with shaving material.beforecommencing the shaving. operation, since .the shaving material is sup/-v razor.,and brought inv Contact with and quickly is widely distributed in athin film. Furthermore, the invention includes improved vprocesses of making shaving materialsv andof treating razor'- plied-by rthe the face by the shavingv action elements whereby shaving material is incorporated with them, and also includes improved materials having the same general. characteristics, Viz.,..they.are suitableforeffecting a shaving operation, and are dispensed, during-the shavingA operationv and-rapidlyspread upon. a wet types of surface being shaved.' `In some types of the invention,.the shaving material forms. an integral part of the razor as made andsold,.and serves for a number of. shaving operations, andin other the invention an element of the razor blade holder is,so formedfas to make it adaptable for receiving Fprior to the shaving'operation, and for dispensing during the shavingoperation, compositions- `of the same vgeneraly characteristics.

Preferably, Kthe compositionis applied to the so- -called guard of a safety razor. Particular compositions other than thosev specifically set forth Y .in said pending application Serial No. 254,132 are 'Y also herein set forth which are suitable for the compositions of matter suitable for vsuch incorporation. However,.the claims of the instant application are limited to improvements in safety razors andin guards for safety razors, which have vas a .part of .their improved structures in-l ccrporated shavingmaterial which is surfaceactive and promotes a slow exhaustion of the materialvand rapid self-spreading thereof as en .v

'from five-per centl to thirty described'purposes, and they can be prepared in paste, stick,or powder form.

A composition which I have foundl very suitable for the purpose herein set forth is comprised of thymol and stearic acid, preferably-.comprised of per cent by. weight thymol and .from ninety-five per cent to seventy per cent stearic acid. The most suitable proportions `ofthe .materials-are. substantiallyY fifteen per cent byweight thymol and eighty-five per hausted in a nlm over a water-wet surface when.,

v Vthe material isbrought into contact with such cent stearic acid. This-composition produces a moldedproduct, suchas-a stick orr cylinder of shaving material. Another suitablefcomposition f `is comprised -of substantially vfifty per cent by surface. The incorporation of the shaving ma terial with the razor bodyis such as to permit the material when activated by contact with water toy dispense slowly from the razor body kand be w rapidly disseminated in a thin lm over the water surface. Claims to the improvements in compositions of kmatter for shaving material are p presented in another .pending application, Serial N0. 315,001, filed Jan. 22, 1940.

-weight beeswax, thirtyper cent stearic' acid and twenty per cent thymol. This composition produces a paste product. Parafn wax also may be compounded with Ythe stearicacid and thymol, or

In rmy pending application Serial No. 254,132

both paraiin wax 'and beeswax may be compounded with the stearic 'acid 'and thymol.

' Furthermore, .camphor or menthol'may be substituted for the thymol. ."Thymol, however, is preferable!v because itl has a marked antiseptic action on'theskin, is more soluble in water than either camphor or menthol, and has a marked effect in lowering the surface '-tensionof water. The lowering of thesurfacetension of water on the razorv element to which the composition is applied and on the surface being shaved has a marked eiect on the spreading action of the stearic acid. The stearic acid is almost complete-l ly insoluble in water, but has a marked spreading action if the conditions are such that it can spread. The improved' composition is effective as a beard-conditioning agent, can be used easily and acts quickly whenr applied to anfelement of the razor blade holder, and gives remarkably ne results when used for shaving.

The composition which is comprised of stearic acid and thymol forms a very satisfactory stick by melting these materials together at substantially 100 C. and pouring the mixture into molds and permitting it to cool. The stick thus formed can be used, or the stick, or any suitably molded form, of the cooled mixture, can be pulverized at ordinary temperatures into a powder which is fine enough so that a small amount of it can be shaken onto the razor part and, in the presence of water, and, during the shaving operation, it spreads from the razor part onto and over the wet face in advance of the cutting edge of the razor blade.

The composition comprised of fifty per cent beeswax, thirty per cent stearic acid and twenty per cent thymol, by weight, makes a very satis factory paste, which is formed by melting to gether these constitutents in the proportions stated at a temperature of about 100 C,

Another suitable composition which is a stiff paste and can be molded is comprised of fty per cent by weight beeswax, thirty-five per cent stearic acid, from ve to ten per cent thymol, and from ten to iive per cent of a mineral oil which is viscous, water white, and tasteless. This composition makes a stiff paste, after the constituents are melted together at substantially 100 C. and cooled, the paste being hard enough so that, if desired, it can be molded into a stick.

A further suitable composition consists of stearic acid, thymol, and a mineral oil which is viscous, water white, and tasteless. Suitable proportions of these materials are seventy-one per cent by weight stearic acid, twelve and one-half per cent th'ymcl, and sixteen and one-half per cent mineral oil. Other very satisfactory proportions are sixty-six and two-tenths per cent by weight stearic acid, thirty-three and one-tenth per cent mineral oil, 'and seven-tenths of one per cent thymol. These constituents can be melted together at a temperature of about 100 C. and upon cooling form a molded product.

A still further lsuitable composition comprises only stearic acid and a mineral oil which is viscous, water white, and tasteless. Suitable proportions run from siXty-ve to ninety-five per cent by weight stearic acid and from thirty-five to five per cent mineral oil, the most desirable composition which I have developed containing substantially sixty-seven per cent by weight stearic acid and thirty-three per cent mineral oil. The constituents can be melted together and molded. Preferably, however, at least a modicum of thymol is included with the stearic acid and mineral oil.

Although organic oils, such as olive oil, and animal products, such as lanolin, can be used in lieu of the mineral oil above-described as a constituent of some of the improved compositions, I prefer to use a mineral oil inasmuch as the latter is not subject to becoming rancid in time as is true of the organic oils and animal products.

All of the shaving compositions described herein are emollient in that they have the power of softening the beard and relaxing the skin and are soothing. They all include la constituent which is activated by water and thus forms a carrier or agent that quickly effects the formation of a thin film upon the wet surface being shaved. The compositions are not soapy so that there is no lathering action on the face.

I illustrate by the accompanying drawing, and

by reference to the description thereof, certain forms of elements of a razor blade holder adaptable for accommodating and for dispensing during the shaving operation shaving material of the characteristics noted. Some of these forms o-f improved holder elements are adaptable for receiving enough shaving material for repeated use, without further treatment, and some of them are'so formed as to be adaptable to receiving the shaving composition just preliminarily to effecting each shaving operation. One of the forms of elements shown is designed to be suitable for a great number of shaving operations without the application of any further shaving material thereto, and another form is adaptable for a comparatively few shaving operations before applying further shaving material thereto. Other forms of the elements shown are serviceable for receiving shaving material at the time of each sh'aving operation. With lall the forms of elements, however, no shaving material is applied directly to the face before commencing the shaving operation, but it is dispensed from the razor element `during the shaving operation and, due tothe structure of the razor elements and the surface active and spreading characteristics of the composition, it uniformly and quickly spreads over the water-wet face and ahead of the cutting edge of the razor blade. Y

A satisfactory procedure for using the improved razor which' is provided with the shaving composition is, rst, to wash the face with soap 'and water, and then rinse it in clear water, then dip the razor into warm water and shave. The shavings and any other undesirable sediment upon the razor are easily rinsed off by water, and, if the razor is one having shaving material for a number of shaving operations, the rinsing does not injuriously affect the residue of shaving material left on the razor, if the rinse water is not unduly hot.

If the razor is one which is not already provided with the shaving material, the latter can be used in powdered form which can be sifted on the proper razor element, or, if it is a paste, lightly rubbed thereon in a small amount or, if it is in stick form, the stick thereof can lightly be drawn over, or otherwise lightly brought into contact with, the guard or other part of the razor designed to receive the composition. Then the razor can be dipped into Warm water andthe shaving effected. When using a razor which is provided with the shaving composition preliminarily to each shaving operation, the razor can easily be cleaned after the shaving operation by simply holding it under a hot water faucet.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section of a present well-known type of razor;

Figure 2 is an end view, partly in section, of a complete razor whose head has an element so formed as to receive and accommodate shaving material and to dispense said material during the shaving operation, the head element serving these purposes in this form of razor being the so-called razor guard to the upper face of which the shaving material is attached;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the razor shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top plan in which the razor cap and th'e razor blade are partly broken away, the shaving material being omitted;

Figure 5 is a top plan of the razor guard, the shaving material being omitted;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section of the razor. shown in Figures, 2 and 3,

taken yinthe planev indicatedbythei line 6 6, Figure 3;

Figure '7-is .a fragmentary. topfplan of the razor l' shown in Figurel withzthe cap and blade partly 'broken away,z and. the. shaving material'. omitted;

'well-known razor assemb1y,.an operating handle 30 V`isformed at one end with aninternally threaded bore (not shown but well-known) which Figure 8 is' afragmentary longitudinal section,

taken in the plane-indicated bythe line 8.-8, Figure .6,.clearlyL showing. the .shavingmaterial inupon an enlarged scale of a form'of .razor guard having transverse grooves upon its under face filled with shavingmaterial; and Figure 8b is a fragmentary transverse section of a razor having a guard of the character shown in' Figure 8a.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which the same parts ,are .indicated by the same respectivenumbers inthe severalviews, there are illustrated several razor assemblies which include respectively various forms of razor elements having shaving material as an integral part thereof, or adapted for the reception of shaving material before the shaving operation is commenced, so that, in either event, the shaving material is dispensed during the shaving operation from the razor uponthe surface beingv shaved. IIhe dispensing of the shaving material upon the surface Y being shaved is made under such conditions of razor structure and with such compositions entering into the shaving material itself that not only is the shaving material dispensed upon the surface being shaved during-the shaving operation, but the shaving material is actively and quickly dispersed over the surface being shaved so as always to provide a lm ofthe shaving material in advance of the cutting edge of the razor blade. In other words, the improved razor'-v assemblies and the vshaving material are distinguished by the dispensing and spreading qualities which are imparted to the shaving materials. This spreading and filming of the shaving material over the surface being shaved takes place upon a surface which is water-wet.

Describing the structures shown-in the accompanying drawing first in general terms, there is suggested in Figure l apresent well-known typeof razor assembly in which the several elements thereof are indicated in order that it may clearly appear in the remaining figures, by comparison with the assembly of Figure l, just what irnprovements have been made in razor elements and their assemblies by the present invention.

In Figures 2-8, there is shown a form of the invention in which the razor guard is formed with a plurality of transverse grooves in its upper face in which shaving material is adherently deposited.

In Figures 8a and 8b, there is shown a form of the invention in which the razor guard is formed with a plurality of transverse grooves in its lower face in which shaving material is adherently deposited.

In all forms of the invention shown in the accompanying drawing, means are provided for adequate admission and movement of water through the razor holder, escape of air therefrom, etc., necessary to such a functioning of the shaving material as to effect its proper dispensing and spreading, as will hereinafter appear in detail.

Referring first to Figure 1, which is a suggestion, upon a greatly enlarged scale, of a present engages an externally threaded pin (not shown but also well-known) depending from a cap 3|. Clamped between the cap 3| and the top of the handle 30, isa exible blade .33 and a guard 32 having the peripheral-side teeth 34, the guard 32 and the blade 33 having suitable central holes,

vthrough which the cap pin extends, as is well known in the art. As is wellknown to those in the art, and which need not be shownin detail in Figure l, which figure is shown merely for the purpose of setting forthl by comparison a clear exposition of what has been accomplished by the instant invention, means are provided for aligning and retaining in proper locked position the cap 3|, guard 32, and blade 33, such as a central longitudinal tongue 35 depending from the bottom of the cap 3| which intersects a central 1ongitudinal slot in the blade 33 and is seated in a central longitudinal groove 36 formed in the top of the guard 32. Also, depending from the cap 3| and at each corner of the cap are small lugs which bear against shoulders formed upon top of the guard 32 and adjacent each corner thereof by recessing said guard corners, the blade 33 being formed with corner recesses permitting the passing of said lugs into the guard recesses. Such means of .assuring proper alignment of the several elements in assembled condition and maintenance thereof is well known in the art, and their structure and use will appearv more in detail in the forms of the-invention presented by Figures 2-8b of the accompanying drawing.

Referring particularly to Figures 2-8, a curved guard 40, Figures 5 and 7, isformed with a depressed upper surface portion 53 which extends vover the entire top: thereof except for raised transverse end portions 55. In other words, the structure is quite similar to the effect of grinding off a material part of the rounded top of the guard 32 in Figure 1 between the ends thereof. The raised portions 55 of the guard, Figures 5 and '7, are intersected centrally by short longitudinal recesses 4| which extend somewhat into the surface 58. In the surface 58 are cut a plurality of parallel transverse V-shaped grooves 59 whose bottom edges are substantiallyv perpendicular to the axis of the guard 40. The se grooves 59 are filled with shaving material 43. When the guard 40 is assembled with an operating handle 46, a blade 45, and a curved cap 44, as shown in Figure 6, and these elements are securely locked together, there is formed a chamber 50 extend-v ing from the central depending locking pin 41 on the cap 44 to the inner edges of the guard teeth 52, this chamber 50 gradually increasing in depth inwardly from the inner edges of the teeth 52. This chamber 50 forms a storage chamber for water used during the shaving operation.

'Ihe structure and assembly of the cap 44, blade 45, guard 4, and operating handle 43 whereby the same are securely locked together is as follows: The cap 44 is formed with a pair of short locking tongues 5|, Figure 8, which engage in the recesses 4| of the guard 40. These tongues 5| depend from the cap 44 some distance within the ends of the cap. The cutting blade 45 is formed with a longitudinal slot 45 and a central hole 452, Figure 7, which slot 45 is intersected by the tongues 5|, and which hole 452 passes the pin 41 which depends from the under side of the cap 44 and has threaded engagement with the locking and operating handle 45. The

guard 40 is formed with a central hole 40' which passes the pin 41 and is of somewhat greater diameter than the diameter of the pin 4`| so as to create a narrow annular chamber 48 therebetween, clearly shown in Figure 6. The upper surface of the guard 4|) is provided adjacent its corners with recesses 53 which form shoulders against which abut small lugs 44', Figures 2 and 3, dependingr from the corners of the cap 44, the corners of the blade 45 being notched as indicated by 453 to pass the lugs 44.

An assembly of the elements just described is shown in Figure 6, and upon use thereof for a shaving operation upon a wet surface, it being assumed that the assembly shown in Figure 6 has been dipped into warm water so as to fill the chamber with water, the shaving material 43 actively spreads from the grooves 59 onto the wett surface being shaved and forms a lm upon said surface in advance of the cutting edge of the blade 45, so that a satisfactory shaving operation can be effected. Sutlicient water is held in the chamber 5|) in contact with the shaving material 43 to effect suitable dispensing and distribution of the shaving material, this water displacing the air, when the razor is dipped into water, the air freely escaping by reason of the open continuous chamber 5!) between blade 45 and the shaving material 43.

Referring particularly to the form of the invention shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the same is particularly distinguished by having the shaving material incorporated with the razor upon the under side of the guard. For this purpose a guard |20 is formed with a plurality of transverse grooves |2| in its under face extending from adjacent its teeth |22 to planes adjacent the standard central longitudinal rib |23. 'Ihe grooves |2| are lled with shaving material |24. The razor is completed by a blade |25, and cap |26, and an operating handle |21, and these several elements are locked together and maintained in proper alignment by the usual means, of which the central longitudinal rib |28 depending from the cap I 26 and accommodated by the central longitudinal recess |29 formed in the top of the guard |20 is shown in Figure 8b.

During a shaving operation with the form of the invention shown in Figures 8a and 8b water picked up by a dipping of the razor contacts the shaving material |24 and effects the desired dispensing of the same upon the wet surface being shaved where it actively spreads as a thin film.

What I claim is:

1. A safety razor characterized by a shaving composition adherently incorporated with the shaving head thereof, which composition includes surface-active material which, when the composition is contacted by water, promotes a slow exhaustion of the composition from the shaving head and a rapid self-spreading of the composition as exhausted in a lm upon the surface lof the water.

2. A guard for safety razors characterized by a shaving composition adherently mounted thereon, which composition includes surface-active material which, when the composition is contacted by water, promotes a slow exhaustion of the composition from the shaving head and a rapid self-spreading of the composition as exhausted in a film upon the surface of the water.

3. A guard for safety razors formed with a plurality of grooves in a face thereof, a shaving composition incorporated in said grooves, said composition including surface-active material which, when the composition is contacted by Water, promotes a slow exhaustion of the composition from the shaving head and a rapid self-spreading of the composition as exhausted in a lm upon the surface of the water.

4. A guard for safety razors formed with a plurality of grooves on its blade side, a shaving composition incorporated in said grooves, said composition including surface-active material which, when the composition is contacted by water, promotes a slow exhaustion of the composition from the shaving head and a rapid self -spreading of the composition as exhausted in a film upon the surface of the water.

5. A safety razor having a head portion including a guard, the head portion being formed with a recess leading to a protective edge of the guard, said head portion also including a shaving composition incorporated therewith and exposed to said recess, said composition including surface-active material which, when the composition is contacted by water, promotes a slow exhaustion of the composition from the shaving head and a rapid self-spreading of the composition as exhausted in a lm upon the surface of the water.

HERBERT E. WETHERBEE. 

